(ATR ) The Copa America, the continent's biggest national team tournament, was left without a venue two weeks before its start when Argentina resigned as host due to the harshness with which the covid-19 pandemic is hitting the country.
"Conmebol informs that in attention to the present circumstances it has resolved to suspend the organization of the Copa America in Argentina," the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) said in a statement on Sunday night.
The South American soccer governing body added that it is "analyzing the offer of other countries that showed interest in hosting" the tournament.
The Copa America, with ten participants, was to be held from June 13 to July 10, divided for the first time between two countries, Argentina and Colombia. Immersed in a violent political crisis, Colombia declined a few days ago to host half of the tournament and the final.
Minutes before Conmebol announced it was taking the venue away from Argentina, Home Affairs Minister Eduardo de Pedro said it was "very difficult" for the tournament to be held in the land of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
Argentina is facing the highest levels of infections and deaths since the pandemic began. In the midst of the restrictions and a new confinement that a large part of the country had to comply with in the last few days, a survey by the Poliarquia consulting firm showed that 70 percent of those polled did not want the tournament. This is quite a fact, since Argentina is known to be one of the countries with the greatest passion for soccer.
Chile and the United States are emerging as possible venues for the Copa América, which will be played practically simultaneously with the European Championship (June 11 to July 11), and there are observers who do not rule out the possibility of Uruguay also joining in some way.
Written and Reported bySebastián Fest
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.
McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.
ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.
International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.
IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
